PRESS RELEASE: Councilwoman Shané Darby Announces Availability of up to $20,000 to Help Residential Landlords and up to $25,000 to Help Minority-owned Small Businesses Invest in Energy-Efficiency Improvements
Press Alert
Friday, June 30, 2023
Councilwoman Shané Darby Announces Availability of up to $20,000 to Help Residential Landlords and up to $25,000 to Help Minority-owned Small Businesses Invest in Energy-Efficiency Improvements
Councilwoman Darby has partnered with Energize Delaware to help disseminate information on the Rental Energy Assistance Grant and Spark Grant. The application window for both grants is July 1 – 31.
Wilmington, DE – Wilmington City Council’s 2nd District Council Member Shané Darby today announced that Energize Delaware is accepting applications starting on July 1 for up to $20,000 for residential landlords and up to $25,000 for minority-owned small businesses in grants to help invest in energy-efficiency improvements. Energize Delaware is making the grants available under the Rental Energy Assistance Grant and Spark Grant, with funding from Energize Delaware’s Empowerment Grant.
Energize Delaware was selected through a statewide bid to run the Empowerment Grant Program, with funding provided by the merger of Delmarva Power and Exelon. With guidance from the Delaware Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and its Low-Income Working Group, the Empowerment Grant disbursed $4 million over three years to eight organizations and is now expanding with new funding to the entire state of Delaware.
The Rental Energy Assistance Grant aims to provide financial support to residential landlords in low- and moderate-income communities in Delaware for energy efficiency improvements in their buildings and enables landlords to overcome upfront costs and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. Energize Delaware plans to distribute the Rental Energy Assistance Grants to twenty-five residential landlords in low- and moderate-income communities in Delaware. Each landlord will receive funding of up to $20,000.
The grant’s $20,000 limit may not cover all the necessary energy efficiency upgrades for each property. For this reason, Energize Delaware offers additional support through energy efficiency rebates, financial incentives, and a low-interest loan program, ensuring that landlords have access to the resources required to complete all the energy improvements needed for their properties.
“I am looking for ways to improve the city’s relationship with landlords,” said Councilwoman Darby. “If we can educate and support landlords in our city, we will in turn be able to provide housing quality for our residents. This grant will be a game changer for qualified landlords and residents of Wilmington.”
With a strong focus on energy equity and environmental justice, the Rental Energy Assistance Grant delivers multiple benefits. First, it alleviates the energy burden faced by low-income tenants, enhancing their quality of life and reducing their utility expenses. Second, the program provides an opportunity for landlords with residential buildings comprising up to four units to access and participate in a tailored energy efficiency improvement program.
Energize Delaware’s Empowerment Grant funding will also include the creation of a new Spark Grant program developed to fund energy efficiency improvements and ENERGY STAR rated products for minority-owned small businesses and microbusinesses in low- and moderate-income communities in Delaware. It is designed to support energy equity and environmental justice and provide access to sustainable business improvements and rewards, including cost savings and overall enhanced brand value.
The Spark Grant will be awarded to twenty minority-owned small businesses and microbusinesses in Delaware. Each business or microbusiness will receive up to $25,000 for funding energy efficiency improvements. The Spark Grant also includes a one-year membership to the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, which will provide education on sustainable business practices.
For additional information on application deadlines and submission details for the Rental Energy Assistance Grant and Spark Grant, visit the link https://energyequityfund.org/grants/
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications, Wilmington City CouncilOffice: (302)576-2585Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com